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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Altissimo & Multiphonics / These dang Rico Reeds....

Harrell
User ID: 9279843 Dec 13th 8:17 PM
one bite and their trash.... Geeee....when you really wanna wail in altissimo and you really bite down...the Rico reeds ...man, they just crater! You won't be able to use your reed again.

When will Rico make a reed that you can really BITE!?!?!?!?

(for the intellectually challenged, this is a joke)

Harrell
User ID: 9279843 Dec 13th 8:18 PM
Geee...did I say that? I meant: "one bite and THEY'RE trash"

Screech
User ID: 0624334 Dec 13th 9:16 PM
I've hit C6 on a Rico. Oh wait... that was before I bit it!

On SOTW its "one byte and THEY'RE trash" BTW. :)

ChristopherD
User ID: 7433983 Dec 14th 11:20 AM
Some think ricos are trash even before they bite them.
Or, Ricos bite.
At least they don't bite back (grrrr, chomp ouch!).
I don't think they're all that bad, but I've never used them extensively. The 'cheap reed' image, you know. I only use the 'better' brands (nose appropriately raised an inch or so, eyes looking down at those lowly Ricos).

While I realize that there has to be good embouchure support for altissimo, I try to play it without bite. Same as the rest of the range. No biting. No no no. Bad boy. Down.

Mike C
User ID: 8158483 Jan 24th 4:28 PM
Your suppossed to PLAY them not EAT them. I like Rico reeds,to play not eat.

David Mekan
User ID: 8778463 Jan 24th 5:38 PM
I used every Rico reed there ever was for most of my music playing life that is about 33 years and found out there was no consistancy.Until about a year ago.I got tired of shelling out money for a box and getting one good reed maybe.I have about 75 reeds just sitting in a room that are no good.I got tired of it and made a change for the better.I now use Alexander Superial and Peter Ponzol reeds.I like Superial D.C # 3 and Peter Ponzol # 3.I get better response more projection and a lot more useable reeds that last a lot longer.The reeds are made in France and shipped to the U.S.A. and you can get them in about any music store.The prices are great too. Thankyou Dave. P.S. Just trying to help someone out.

Isaac Armstrong
User ID: 8450833 Jan 24th 5:58 PM
Also, try out some of the various synethetics out there too. Some people love em, some hate em, and others would only use them as a bad weather/backup reed. Personnally, I like a couple brands of synthetics. I use a BARI* Soft on Alto (Jazz only), BARI* Med on Bari, and Fiberreed Carbon Toptone Med on Soprano and Tenor. Other peole like Legere, and Fibracell. There are numerous others that you don't hear much about either (never heard of anyone playing on them, on this board or elsewhere). They are: Rico Plasticover (not sure if it' a true synthetic , or a plastic coated cane, never tried one, I've heard them, and they're too buzzy for me!), Woodwind Plastic (WW&BW house brand). There may be others I don't know.

ChristopherD
User ID: 8297563 Jan 24th 10:03 PM
Plasticovers are great. I always have some handy. Right now I have some 2-1/2's, 3's and 3-1/2's. Slap a 2-1/2 or 3 on my T97 and I'm wailin' big time.
They are just what their name implies - actual cane reeds with a coating on them.

For the record I use uncoated cane too.

Screech
User ID: 9753653 Jan 25th 11:06 AM
You mean coke cane?

JimD
User ID: 8980403 Jan 25th 11:19 AM
I like Rico reeds, to eat not play. Pass the Soy sauce, yum.

ChristopherD
User ID: 7433983 Jan 25th 2:13 PM
Naked. Unclothed. In the buff. Au natural.

David Mekan
User ID: 8778463 Jan 25th 6:57 PM
I used the plastic cover rico reeds a lot and they give you a lot of projection when you geta good one,but the black coating comes off in your mouth and there is a funny taste it leaves in your mouth.I kind of numbs mine.What is that coating anyway? Does anyone know?They give the horn a little funnier sound that doesn't sound exactly natural.Anyway I am glad I switched to Superial and Peter Ponzol reeds.There sure is a lot of power an projection in those reeds.They go great with my Peter Ponzol M1 mouthpiece.Now thats just my opinion.Maybe thats not for everyone. Thankyou Dave

ChristopherD
User ID: 7433983 Jan 29th 3:59 PM
I've never had the black stuff come off in my mouth. My saliva ain't got what it takes. Yes, the taste is a bit different as is the sound.

Dave, how do the strengths of the Superials and Ponzols compare with other reed brands?

David Mekan
User ID: 8778463 Jan 29th 8:08 PM
Christopher the strength is probably the same only used a 2/12 most of the time in the plastic cove sometimes # 3 and they were pretty good,but I found that what I know that what was explained why a lot of reeds made by rico had problems that they were off cut.You never knew what you were getting.You diddent know if they were cut right or not and I couldn't trust that.So I got tired of messing with it.It sounds to me not enough quality control.What you need to do is check out Alexander Superial web site or check more on Peter Ponzol reeds.I will guarantee you will like them better.These guys take more time in researching the reed situation.For one thing I think the French reed is better.They age them better.You know after 33 years I didn't think I would have changed ,but I did. Thanks Dave

ChristohperD
User ID: 7433983 Jan 30th 12:02 PM
Thx, Dave.

Tried Superial on alto a couple years ago but was put off by the lack of availability. I have to order them and then usually have to wait a while to get them. Now on tenor I may try again. They are a nice reed. I've yet to try Ponzol's, but suppose I should - I've got one of his mpcs on my soprano, after all.

David Mekan
User ID: 8778463 Jan 30th 12:43 PM
ChristopherD You can get both of these reeds from the Saxophone Shop in Evanston Ill.or its called Chicago Band and Orchestra.Another place you can get the Superial reeds is Roberto's Woodwind in New York City.I don't think Discount Reeds has them in stock,but you might check.Christopher seems like a lot of music stores are stating to carry these reeds.You know what surprises me more of how the Peter Ponzol reeds play.Ilike them both .They last a long time if you take them off rinse them good in some distilled water or purified water.That water doesn't have any chlorene or anything else in it.Even soaking use distilled water.Then put them on a reed saver right away.All of these reeds last longer and don't play out on you quickly.The point is that reeds are expensive and good ones are hard to come by. I hope this of some help to you Christopher. Thanks Dave

Harrell User ID: 9279843	Dec 13th 8:17 PM one bite and their trash.... Geeee....when you really wanna wail in altissimo and you really bite down...the Rico reeds ...man, they just crater! You won't be able to use your reed again. When will Rico make a reed that you can really BITE!?!?!?!? (for the intellectually challenged, this is a joke)
Harrell User ID: 9279843	Dec 13th 8:18 PM Geee...did I say that? I meant: "one bite and THEY'RE trash"
Screech User ID: 0624334	Dec 13th 9:16 PM I've hit C6 on a Rico. Oh wait... that was before I bit it! On SOTW its "one byte and THEY'RE trash" BTW. :)
ChristopherD User ID: 7433983	Dec 14th 11:20 AM Some think ricos are trash even before they bite them. Or, Ricos bite. At least they don't bite back (grrrr, chomp ouch!). I don't think they're all that bad, but I've never used them extensively. The 'cheap reed' image, you know. I only use the 'better' brands (nose appropriately raised an inch or so, eyes looking down at those lowly Ricos). While I realize that there has to be good embouchure support for altissimo, I try to play it without bite. Same as the rest of the range. No biting. No no no. Bad boy. Down.
Mike C User ID: 8158483	Jan 24th 4:28 PM Your suppossed to PLAY them not EAT them. I like Rico reeds,to play not eat.
David Mekan User ID: 8778463	Jan 24th 5:38 PM I used every Rico reed there ever was for most of my music playing life that is about 33 years and found out there was no consistancy.Until about a year ago.I got tired of shelling out money for a box and getting one good reed maybe.I have about 75 reeds just sitting in a room that are no good.I got tired of it and made a change for the better.I now use Alexander Superial and Peter Ponzol reeds.I like Superial D.C # 3 and Peter Ponzol # 3.I get better response more projection and a lot more useable reeds that last a lot longer.The reeds are made in France and shipped to the U.S.A. and you can get them in about any music store.The prices are great too. Thankyou Dave. P.S. Just trying to help someone out.
Isaac Armstrong User ID: 8450833	Jan 24th 5:58 PM Also, try out some of the various synethetics out there too. Some people love em, some hate em, and others would only use them as a bad weather/backup reed. Personnally, I like a couple brands of synthetics. I use a BARI* Soft on Alto (Jazz only), BARI* Med on Bari, and Fiberreed Carbon Toptone Med on Soprano and Tenor. Other peole like Legere, and Fibracell. There are numerous others that you don't hear much about either (never heard of anyone playing on them, on this board or elsewhere). They are: Rico Plasticover (not sure if it' a true synthetic , or a plastic coated cane, never tried one, I've heard them, and they're too buzzy for me!), Woodwind Plastic (WW&BW house brand). There may be others I don't know.
ChristopherD User ID: 8297563	Jan 24th 10:03 PM Plasticovers are great. I always have some handy. Right now I have some 2-1/2's, 3's and 3-1/2's. Slap a 2-1/2 or 3 on my T97 and I'm wailin' big time. They are just what their name implies - actual cane reeds with a coating on them. For the record I use uncoated cane too.
Screech User ID: 9753653	Jan 25th 11:06 AM You mean coke cane?
JimD User ID: 8980403	Jan 25th 11:19 AM I like Rico reeds, to eat not play. Pass the Soy sauce, yum.
ChristopherD User ID: 7433983	Jan 25th 2:13 PM Naked. Unclothed. In the buff. Au natural.
David Mekan User ID: 8778463	Jan 25th 6:57 PM I used the plastic cover rico reeds a lot and they give you a lot of projection when you geta good one,but the black coating comes off in your mouth and there is a funny taste it leaves in your mouth.I kind of numbs mine.What is that coating anyway? Does anyone know?They give the horn a little funnier sound that doesn't sound exactly natural.Anyway I am glad I switched to Superial and Peter Ponzol reeds.There sure is a lot of power an projection in those reeds.They go great with my Peter Ponzol M1 mouthpiece.Now thats just my opinion.Maybe thats not for everyone. Thankyou Dave
ChristopherD User ID: 7433983	Jan 29th 3:59 PM I've never had the black stuff come off in my mouth. My saliva ain't got what it takes. Yes, the taste is a bit different as is the sound. Dave, how do the strengths of the Superials and Ponzols compare with other reed brands?
David Mekan User ID: 8778463	Jan 29th 8:08 PM Christopher the strength is probably the same only used a 2/12 most of the time in the plastic cove sometimes # 3 and they were pretty good,but I found that what I know that what was explained why a lot of reeds made by rico had problems that they were off cut.You never knew what you were getting.You diddent know if they were cut right or not and I couldn't trust that.So I got tired of messing with it.It sounds to me not enough quality control.What you need to do is check out Alexander Superial web site or check more on Peter Ponzol reeds.I will guarantee you will like them better.These guys take more time in researching the reed situation.For one thing I think the French reed is better.They age them better.You know after 33 years I didn't think I would have changed ,but I did. Thanks Dave
ChristohperD User ID: 7433983	Jan 30th 12:02 PM Thx, Dave. Tried Superial on alto a couple years ago but was put off by the lack of availability. I have to order them and then usually have to wait a while to get them. Now on tenor I may try again. They are a nice reed. I've yet to try Ponzol's, but suppose I should - I've got one of his mpcs on my soprano, after all.
David Mekan User ID: 8778463	Jan 30th 12:43 PM ChristopherD You can get both of these reeds from the Saxophone Shop in Evanston Ill.or its called Chicago Band and Orchestra.Another place you can get the Superial reeds is Roberto's Woodwind in New York City.I don't think Discount Reeds has them in stock,but you might check.Christopher seems like a lot of music stores are stating to carry these reeds.You know what surprises me more of how the Peter Ponzol reeds play.Ilike them both .They last a long time if you take them off rinse them good in some distilled water or purified water.That water doesn't have any chlorene or anything else in it.Even soaking use distilled water.Then put them on a reed saver right away.All of these reeds last longer and don't play out on you quickly.The point is that reeds are expensive and good ones are hard to come by. I hope this of some help to you Christopher. Thanks Dave